And a roaring good time was had by all…
Date: 06 May 2008
The winners of the DOC Pureora Forest Park Red Deer Hunting Competition were announced on Sunday 27 April. Despite the unusually damp weather conditions the prize-giving day, held at the Pureora Field Centre, was well supported by the local community and by hunters from as far afield as Auckland and Australia. The competition also attracted young hunters and first time entries as well as previous prize winners.
Laurie Simpson, 2008 competition
winner
This 21st year of the competition presented 59 head entries to the competition, with local hunter Laurie Simpson from Mangapehi winning the top spot with a Douglas score of 259 6/8 taken in the Rangitoto area.
The major mystery prize, sponsored by JRK Roading & Drainage and Fly & Gun Hunting & Fishing, was won by Nathan Corbett, while the Helisika Jaw Draw went to Andrew Hamilton. Another highlight of the day was, as always, the tightly contested roar competition. Once again all of the prizes were generously donated.
Many former residents of the King Country continue to return to Pureora for their hunting. Richard Yanko, who spent his childhood and early working life at Pureora Forest, is one hunter who came back during the roar and collected fifth prize.
The approved New Zealand Deerstalkers Association officials (Ron Bevege, Wayne Wells, Len Cubitt and John Henry), who use the NZ developed Douglas Scoring system, have between them amassed nearly a century of judging game animals. Foremost amongst them are local stalwarts John Henry from Tokoroa and Ron Bevege from Piopio who have supported the competition from its inception. Our thanks also go to Alan Jackson and Angela Hemara for recording the deer jaws. These committed volunteers and supporters, including the sponsors of prizes, each year help to make the competition such a success.
Bruce Dunn's NZ record book red stag, which was shot in the north King Country in 2005 was on display and attracted lots of attention. Also of interest was Alan Jackson's display of deer jaws. These are used for aging and assessing condition of deer and they prompted much debate about the quality of local deer populations and the factors influencing their size and condition.
Competition sponsors
Fly and Gun Hunting and Fishing
J.R.K. Drainage & Roading Contractors
Vern Pearson Taxidermist
Helisika
Stoney Creek Clothing
Kilwell Sports, Rotorua
Huntech Clothing
NZ Outdoor Magazine
PGG Wrightsons Te Kuiti
Placemakers, Te Kuiti
Thompson Lawnmowers & Chainsaws
Crusader Meats NZ Ltd
Otorohonda Ltd
Lacklands Photographic Ltd
New Zealand Ammunition Company Ltd
NZ Guns and Hunting Magazine
Beretta New Zealand Ltd
Landmore Agri Services
New Zealand Army
Vern Wilson Locksmith and Gunsmith
List of winners
|
Prize
|
Name
|
Douglas Score
|
|
1st
|
Laurie Simpson
|
259 6/8
|
|
2nd
|
Bernie Rye
|
258 2/8
|
|
3rd
|
Alan Juno
|
253 7/8
|
|
4th
|
Ewen Fraser
|
230 7/8
|
|
5th
|
Richard Yanko
|
226 7/8
|
|
6th
|
Bruce Dunn
|
222
|
|
7th
|
Rob Coles
|
220 4/8
|
|
8th
|
Graham Weller
|
218 2/8
|
|
9th
|
Andrew Hamilton
|
217 2/8
|
|
10th
|
Grant Fraser
|
211 6/8
|
|
Jaw Draw
|
Andrew Hamilton
|
|
|
Mystery Prize Draw
|
Nathan Corbett
|
|
|
Possums 1st
|
Wade Staples
|
|
|
Possums 2nd
|
Sophie Juno
|
|
|
Possums Senior
|
Rick Ryder
|
|
|
Roar Junior 1st
|
Jacob Robert Graham
|
|
|
Roar Junior 2nd
|
Stan Jolly
|
|
|
Roar Junior 3rd
|
Liam Henry
|
|
|
Roar Senior
|
Wayne Mackrell
|
|
|
Ugly Head
|
Nathan Corbett
|
|
|
Most Jaws
|
Mark Reynolds
|
|